hostel in mumbai

maje · Jan 18th, 2005, 04:53

We are arriving in Bombay late at night and we would like to make a reservation for the budget hostel in advance. Could anyone recommend us hostel in colaba area+plus e-mail to make a reservation?
thanks

jarman_ah · Jan 21st, 2005, 15:58

Hi, Maje!

We stayed in a (relatively) cheap hotel, not hostel, in the Fort area (we walked from there to Colaba quite easily, and found the Fort a very central, convenient place to stay with some great eateries), so I haven't got the information you want -- but this thread was threateneing to sink, so I thought I'd better rescue it in the hope that it will excite a bit more interest!

I am sure that if you search through indiamike you'll come up with exactly what you want, as I recall doing just that about three months ago, and had about four hostels short-listed before I decided that they weren't significantly cheaper than some of the cheap hotels (in fact, the YWCA -- or was it the YMCA -- seemed to me to be pretty expensive!)

But my main reason for writing is to direct you to a thread on Fodor's Asian forum.... one I have just finished reading, with a heading abour Bangalore but which soon starts talking about accommodation in Mumbai. One of the posters, Lyndie, has arranged a hotel (not a hostel) in the Fort area of Mumbai for 500 rupees a night, double, which I reckon is a price you'll be lucky to beat even with a bargain-basement hostel (Mumbai is pretty expensive!) I don't recall seeing her choice while I was in Mumbai, but it may be worth getting in touch with her for an evaluation. The hotel of her choice is the Lawrence. Worth following-up, maybe?

maje · Jan 22nd, 2005, 04:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarman_ah

Hi, Maje!

We stayed in a (relatively) cheap hotel, not hostel, in the Fort area (we walked from there to Colaba quite easily, and found the Fort a very central, convenient place to stay with some great eateries), so I haven't got the information you want -- but this thread was threateneing to sink, so I thought I'd better rescue it in the hope that it will excite a bit more interest!

I am sure that if you search through indiamike you'll come up with exactly what you want, as I recall doing just that about three months ago, and had about four hostels short-listed before I decided that they weren't significantly cheaper than some of the cheap hotels (in fact, the YWCA -- or was it the YMCA -- seemed to me to be pretty expensive!)

But my main reason for writing is to direct you to a thread on forum.... one I have just finished reading, with a heading abour Bangalore but which soon starts talking about accommodation in Mumbai. One of the posters, Lyndie, has arranged a hotel (not a hostel) in the Fort area of Mumbai for 500 rupees a night, double, which I reckon is a price you'll be lucky to beat even with a bargain-basement hostel (Mumbai is pretty expensive!) I don't recall seeing her choice while I was in Mumbai, but it may be worth getting in touch with her for an evaluation. The hotel of her choice is the Lawrence. Worth following-up, maybe?

Thanks a lot for your post. Could you give me the name of the hotel where you stay in Mumbai. I need triple room and we could pay about 1000 rupii for room. I cannot find the thread you mentioned, could you help me again.

jarman_ah · Jan 22nd, 2005, 08:24

Hi, again!

The hotel we stayed at in Mumbai was the Benazeer. They gave us the best room in the place, which is the one on the first floor which has views onto two streets.... I think it is Room 4. Private facilites, a/c and TV, but otherwise very simple and plain.... by no means could you mistake it for an upmarket establishment! But the host (Mr C Abreo)was friendly and helpful, and on our return visit to Mumbai (when we decided that we weren't going to do any better than this, so we rang them and asked could we have another night in the same room) we arrived at around 7 in the morning, and they gave us all that day, and the next day up until 6 p.m., for the price of one night's accommodation, which they didn't have to do (all we asked them to do was keep our bags in the store room until a reasonable check-in time!). This cost us 950 rupees, which, considering what other places in less-pleasant areas were asking, is pretty good, we thought.

Now, the Fodor's thread with the Lawrence mentioned. Here is a cut and paste of the important parts:

"Author: Lyndie
Date: 01/20/2005, 05:57 pm
Message: Hi Alan & miche2911

Alan, how long does Hampi deserve for a quick snapshot of the temples etc? I'm not a temple dweller, preferring nature's wonders, to man-made stuff. We were planning to do Hampi as a 3 day side trip from Goa but the train does not run on a suitable day, for our return leg, so now we'll train it both ways from Bangalore. Thanks for the bus info. Local buses really do it for me! A taste of local life & usually a lot of fun! Have booked Hotel Prasanth. Do you know it? Where did you stay?

miche2911 we've booked a accomm in the Fort Mumbai area at Hotel Lawrence. Do you know it? They have been very helpful, taking delivery of my rail tickets & generally being very obliging, all for 500 r's per night for the two of us!

We are serious Indian food lovers and would love some tips on where to eat in Mumbai. We only have 3 full days there but it sounds so exciting with all that "Bollywood" stuff and the Arabian Sea & all. Have you read "Shantaram" written by an Aussie about his life in Mumbai, as a prison escapee from Australia. It is a great read.

Anything you care to post on India will be avidly read and appreciated!

All the very best to you both!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author: hobbes
Date: 01/21/2005, 01:12 am
Message: I've read Sahntaram and unfortunately u are not likely to see either his druggie descroptions nor the slums. U can however go to Leopold which is one of his hangout haunts. Def go to a seafood restaurant - I can suggest Trishna at Kala Ghoda near your hotel. For a different food experience take a taxi to VT and get someone to guide you to Rajdhani where you will have Gujarati food.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author: hobbes
Date: 01/21/2005, 01:12 am
Message: I've read Sahntaram and unfortunately u are not likely to see either his druggie descroptions nor the slums. U can however go to Leopold which is one of his hangout haunts. Def go to a seafood restaurant - I can suggest Trishna at Kala Ghoda near your hotel. For a different food experience take a taxi to Crawford Market and get someone to guide you to Rajdhani where you will have Gujarati food.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author: Alan
Date: 01/21/2005, 03:33 am
Message: Hi, again, Lyndie!

Even if, as you say, you're not much of a temple-dweller, I have a feeling that you might well fall under the spell of Hampi, which is far more than a collection of temples..... it's the remains of a large city -- it has more in common with Pompeii than with, say, Stonehenge -- and what makes Hampi doubly fascinating is that, unlike Pompeii, many of the ancient buildings are still being used! One, in the main bazaar street, is a school. Several others are shops. There is no sense of keeping at arm's length from the past, as is happening at places like Stonehenge and Giza. The locals treat these ancient buidlings with such reverence that they are quite happy to throw a tarpaulin over one wall and open a souvenir stand!

We were there 2 days and one night. We walked just about everywhere, and could have used a third day under these circumstances; had we taken some of the offered transport, two days probably would have covered just about everything.

I can't tell you anything at all about your chosen hotel -- or any other hotel -- in Bangalore, as, although we were there for two full days, our accommodation, when evening fell, was the train you are going and coming on. I am, however, very impressed by your accommodation 'coup' in expensive Mumbai: although I don't recall seeing the Lawrence, I am "sold" on the Fort area in Mumbai (we preferred it to Colaba, which is just a bit far south to be central to anything). We searched high and low on the internet for a good deal in the Fort area, but couldn't get anywhere near as low as you have done (we paid 950 rupees at the Benazeer, which was ideally placed for our needs). I would love to hear feedback on the Lawrence, as I am so enthusiastic about Mumbai and India generally, that already we are planning a return trip -- it's just a question of working out how to achieve this on zero bank balance!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author: Lyndie
Date: 01/21/2005, 08:19 pm
Message: Hi hobbes-thanks for the advice! Will check out your suggestions! Much appreciate your response.

Hi Alan-Hampi sounds magic. I'm so excited and still a month to go before we leave Oz!

Re: Hotel Lawrence, found it in Footprint's June 2004 India guide and also a rec on www.indiamike.com. I rang the hotel and was impressed with their attitude and helpfulness, forgot to ask the rate, so rang back and they told me! Could have blown me away with a feather! Anyway, let's see if it measures up. If it's anything like the Hotel Sheela in Agra, we're in for a treat!

As for travel funds, we just sell something, like our house! and worry about it later! Could be dead tomorrow, although I hope not! So much more to see in India yet!

Happy days!"

Hope this is of some help. The Benazeer has an enail address which I can send you if you want to proceed with it; it seems like the Lawrence requires you to call.

maje · Jan 22nd, 2005, 16:11

Thank a lot!!! I also found fodors forum

.

maje · Jan 23rd, 2005, 16:51

benazeer@vsnl.com
Is it a rigth e-mail adress to benazeer hotel?

isabel · Jan 24th, 2005, 17:50

We stayed at Hotel Prossers, relatively good price and very clean (400Rs/night double room). Tel. 22841715, 2 Henry Road, Bombay. If you take a taxi ask to use the taximeter, it's cheaper and nice.

keliauninks · Jan 31st, 2005, 00:13

hi, everyone,

maybe these hotels do have emails, would appreciate if u can share them - Hotel Lawrenze & Hotel Prossers

jarman_ah · Nov 7th, 2006, 19:16

Topping for Ashish.

Jan 18th, 2005, 04:53	#1
maje Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Poland, Szczecin Posts: 4	hostel in mumbai We are arriving in Bombay late at night and we would like to make a reservation for the budget hostel in advance. Could anyone recommend us hostel in colaba area+plus e-mail to make a reservation? thanks Last edited by maje : Jan 20th, 2005 at 01:04. Reason: looking for info about hostel in bombai

Jan 24th, 2005, 17:50	#7
isabel Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: SPAIN Posts: 56	We stayed at Hotel Prossers, relatively good price and very clean (400Rs/night double room). Tel. 22841715, 2 Henry Road, Bombay. If you take a taxi ask to use the taximeter, it's cheaper and nice. __________________ VIVE Y DEJA VIVIR

Jan 31st, 2005, 00:13	#8
keliauninks Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lithuania Posts: 5	hm hi, everyone, maybe these hotels do have emails, would appreciate if u can share them - Hotel Lawrenze & Hotel Prossers

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Jan 21st, 2005, 15:58	#2
jarman_ah Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 373	Hi, Maje! We stayed in a (relatively) cheap hotel, not hostel, in the Fort area (we walked from there to Colaba quite easily, and found the Fort a very central, convenient place to stay with some great eateries), so I haven't got the information you want -- but this thread was threateneing to sink, so I thought I'd better rescue it in the hope that it will excite a bit more interest! I am sure that if you search through indiamike you'll come up with exactly what you want, as I recall doing just that about three months ago, and had about four hostels short-listed before I decided that they weren't significantly cheaper than some of the cheap hotels (in fact, the YWCA -- or was it the YMCA -- seemed to me to be pretty expensive!) But my main reason for writing is to direct you to a thread on Fodor's Asian forum.... one I have just finished reading, with a heading abour Bangalore but which soon starts talking about accommodation in Mumbai. One of the posters, Lyndie, has arranged a hotel (not a hostel) in the Fort area of Mumbai for 500 rupees a night, double, which I reckon is a price you'll be lucky to beat even with a bargain-basement hostel (Mumbai is pretty expensive!) I don't recall seeing her choice while I was in Mumbai, but it may be worth getting in touch with her for an evaluation. The hotel of her choice is the Lawrence. Worth following-up, maybe?

Jan 22nd, 2005, 08:24	#4
jarman_ah Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 373	Hi, again! The hotel we stayed at in Mumbai was the Benazeer. They gave us the best room in the place, which is the one on the first floor which has views onto two streets.... I think it is Room 4. Private facilites, a/c and TV, but otherwise very simple and plain.... by no means could you mistake it for an upmarket establishment! But the host (Mr C Abreo)was friendly and helpful, and on our return visit to Mumbai (when we decided that we weren't going to do any better than this, so we rang them and asked could we have another night in the same room) we arrived at around 7 in the morning, and they gave us all that day, and the next day up until 6 p.m., for the price of one night's accommodation, which they didn't have to do (all we asked them to do was keep our bags in the store room until a reasonable check-in time!). This cost us 950 rupees, which, considering what other places in less-pleasant areas were asking, is pretty good, we thought. Now, the Fodor's thread with the Lawrence mentioned. Here is a cut and paste of the important parts: "Author: Lyndie Date: 01/20/2005, 05:57 pm Message: Hi Alan & miche2911 Alan, how long does Hampi deserve for a quick snapshot of the temples etc? I'm not a temple dweller, preferring nature's wonders, to man-made stuff. We were planning to do Hampi as a 3 day side trip from Goa but the train does not run on a suitable day, for our return leg, so now we'll train it both ways from Bangalore. Thanks for the bus info. Local buses really do it for me! A taste of local life & usually a lot of fun! Have booked Hotel Prasanth. Do you know it? Where did you stay? miche2911 we've booked a accomm in the Fort Mumbai area at Hotel Lawrence. Do you know it? They have been very helpful, taking delivery of my rail tickets & generally being very obliging, all for 500 r's per night for the two of us! We are serious Indian food lovers and would love some tips on where to eat in Mumbai. We only have 3 full days there but it sounds so exciting with all that "Bollywood" stuff and the Arabian Sea & all. Have you read "Shantaram" written by an Aussie about his life in Mumbai, as a prison escapee from Australia. It is a great read. Anything you care to post on India will be avidly read and appreciated! All the very best to you both! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: hobbes Date: 01/21/2005, 01:12 am Message: I've read Sahntaram and unfortunately u are not likely to see either his druggie descroptions nor the slums. U can however go to Leopold which is one of his hangout haunts. Def go to a seafood restaurant - I can suggest Trishna at Kala Ghoda near your hotel. For a different food experience take a taxi to VT and get someone to guide you to Rajdhani where you will have Gujarati food. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: hobbes Date: 01/21/2005, 01:12 am Message: I've read Sahntaram and unfortunately u are not likely to see either his druggie descroptions nor the slums. U can however go to Leopold which is one of his hangout haunts. Def go to a seafood restaurant - I can suggest Trishna at Kala Ghoda near your hotel. For a different food experience take a taxi to Crawford Market and get someone to guide you to Rajdhani where you will have Gujarati food. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: Alan Date: 01/21/2005, 03:33 am Message: Hi, again, Lyndie! Even if, as you say, you're not much of a temple-dweller, I have a feeling that you might well fall under the spell of Hampi, which is far more than a collection of temples..... it's the remains of a large city -- it has more in common with Pompeii than with, say, Stonehenge -- and what makes Hampi doubly fascinating is that, unlike Pompeii, many of the ancient buildings are still being used! One, in the main bazaar street, is a school. Several others are shops. There is no sense of keeping at arm's length from the past, as is happening at places like Stonehenge and Giza. The locals treat these ancient buidlings with such reverence that they are quite happy to throw a tarpaulin over one wall and open a souvenir stand! We were there 2 days and one night. We walked just about everywhere, and could have used a third day under these circumstances; had we taken some of the offered transport, two days probably would have covered just about everything. I can't tell you anything at all about your chosen hotel -- or any other hotel -- in Bangalore, as, although we were there for two full days, our accommodation, when evening fell, was the train you are going and coming on. I am, however, very impressed by your accommodation 'coup' in expensive Mumbai: although I don't recall seeing the Lawrence, I am "sold" on the Fort area in Mumbai (we preferred it to Colaba, which is just a bit far south to be central to anything). We searched high and low on the internet for a good deal in the Fort area, but couldn't get anywhere near as low as you have done (we paid 950 rupees at the Benazeer, which was ideally placed for our needs). I would love to hear feedback on the Lawrence, as I am so enthusiastic about Mumbai and India generally, that already we are planning a return trip -- it's just a question of working out how to achieve this on zero bank balance! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: Lyndie Date: 01/21/2005, 08:19 pm Message: Hi hobbes-thanks for the advice! Will check out your suggestions! Much appreciate your response. Hi Alan-Hampi sounds magic. I'm so excited and still a month to go before we leave Oz! Re: Hotel Lawrence, found it in Footprint's June 2004 India guide and also a rec on www.indiamike.com. I rang the hotel and was impressed with their attitude and helpfulness, forgot to ask the rate, so rang back and they told me! Could have blown me away with a feather! Anyway, let's see if it measures up. If it's anything like the Hotel Sheela in Agra, we're in for a treat! As for travel funds, we just sell something, like our house! and worry about it later! Could be dead tomorrow, although I hope not! So much more to see in India yet! Happy days!" Hope this is of some help. The Benazeer has an enail address which I can send you if you want to proceed with it; it seems like the Lawrence requires you to call.

Jan 22nd, 2005, 16:11	#5
maje Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Poland, Szczecin Posts: 4	Thank a lot!!! I also found fodors forum .

Jan 23rd, 2005, 16:51	#6
maje Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Poland, Szczecin Posts: 4	benazeer@vsnl.com Is it a rigth e-mail adress to benazeer hotel?

Nov 7th, 2006, 19:16	#9
jarman_ah Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 373	Topping for Ashish.